Directional control means for a supersonic vehicle



July 5, 1960 A. E. WETHERBEE, JR 2,943,821

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL MEANS FOR A SUPERSONIC VEHICLE Filed Dec. .'50, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 5, 1960 A. E. WETHERBEE, JR 2,943,821

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL MEANS FOR A suPERsoNc VEHICLE:

Filed Dec. 30, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HAM A/Fe /NrfJ/(f 46 gigi-P120 COMBI/S 770A/ C'H/IMBER FUEL United States Pant Of l DIRECTIONAL CONTROL MEANS FR A SUPERSONIC VEHICLE Arthur/E. Wetherbee, Jr., Newington, Conn., assignor to United Aircraft Corporation, East Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. so, 19s0,.ser.- No. 203,641

1 '3 claims. (c1. Azii- 52) A 2,943,821 l Patented July 5, 1960 2 substantially as shown in Fig. 1, it is desirable to proa duce a simple but positive control torce at `a point spaced from the center of gravity to directionally control .the vehicle in ilight. To ythis end a plurality of peripheral slots 3Q V(see also Pig. 2) are provided at peripherally spaced intervals in the wall of the nozzle 16 adjacent the aft end thereof. A plurality of conduits 34 connect Another object of this invention is to-provide a cont trol of lthe @type described wherein shock waves are 'selectively produced adjacent the rinner sur-face vof the exhaust nozzle whereby forces are produced lto vary the direction of movement of the vehicle.

A still further object of this invention is to` provide a shock type control .ior a vehicle having .a supersonic exhaust nozzle whereby Vfluid under pressure is selectively introduced into the nozzle stream .and at spaced points along the nozzle periphery to create controlling shock waves which in turn produce turning moments about the Y center of gravity of the vehicle. Y t

Another object of this invention Ais `to provide a control syst-em -tor a vehicle which is independent of forward velocity of the vehicle and devoid of external aerodynamic iniiuences.

'IThese .and other objects of Ithis invention will become readily apparent `from the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a ramjet power plant having a propulsion nozzle utilizing this invention.

Fig. 2 is a View taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3' is an illustration of the pressure in the ramjet unit.

Fig. 4 .an illustration of another form of this invention as applied to a rarnjet unit wherein ram air is utilized `for creating the shock in the nozzle.

" Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration ofV the use of this invention in connection with a rocket type vehicle; and

Fig. 6'is another illustration of the use of this Vinvention .inconn'eotion witha rocketk vehicle or booster rocket modiiications of invention. 4 A Fig. 1 illustrates .a ram-jet unitf10 for a vehicle of the type for example shown in Figs. 5 and 6. 'The ramjet unit comprises a diffuser section 12, a combustion chamber 14 and ya supersonic `exhaust nozzle 16. Fuel under pressure may be injected via a fuel line 18 and through `one or more nozzles 20 into the entrance of the combustion chamber .14. A flame spreader Z2 may be provided .to insure adequate name propagation when the utilizing a solid propellant; and Figs. 7.and Stillustrate i' fuel :air mixture is ignited by `a pilot flame `24 or other Inasmuch yas the vehicle will have a c enterlof gravity the high'pressure end of the diffuser .to the slots 30 so .that high 'pressure air can be injected into the supersonic stream ofthe nozzle y16 to create shock waves which emanate from rthe in uer Wall of the nozzle and which preferably extend to a lpoint outside the contines of the. nozzle .as illustrated Afor example in Fig. 1. Control valves 36 may be provided in each of the conduits 34 so as to selectively direct air to one or more of the slots It will be noted lthat since the fluid stream in the nozzle is of supersonic velocity a deilection of the iluid will produce .an oblique shock. The deflection of the fluid here is caused by the injection of compressed air through the slots Sil. y

As shown in lFig. 3, the pressure in the ramjet unit rises in the' diffuser, drops slightly during combustion and thereafter drops considerably in the exhaust nozzle 16. The flow of gases is considerably increasedto a supersonic velocity in the exhaust nozzle. It shouldv be noted .that the pressure curve illustrated in Fig.` 3 is relative to the ambient. air land hence the baseline of the chart in Fig. 3 will represent .the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. inasmuch as there is a definite pressure rise in a region immediately `following a shock vwave there will be a `pressure rise in the nozzle 16, as

shown by the `dotted line in Fig. 3 whenever air is injected through the slots Sil. It is then readily apparent that such a local pressure rise adjacent any one of the slots Btl 'will cause .an unbalance of pressure within the nozzle so as to create a moment about the centery of gravity of the vehicle to vary the direction thereof. Y

Referring to |`Fig. 4, .another form of this invention is illustrated. A portion of a Ararnjet 4th is shown having a combustion chamber 42 and a supersonic exhaust nozzle 44. An annular member or cowl 46 surrounds the nozzle 44 `and terminates at its forward end in an annular air intake 4S. A small bleed slot 5d is provided between the aft end of the cowl v46 and the nozzle 44 .to permit a slight amount of out'iiow so as to prevent an excessive temperature rise yas a result of heat transfer trom the nozzle proper. The wall at the attend of the nozzle 44 is provided with `a plurality of openings S2 which are surrounded by a rotatable collar 54. rIhe colliar-'54 has a number of cooperating openings so that by jected into the nozzle stream to create shock waves in a manner similar to that illustrated in Fig'. 1. The rotatable collar 54 may include externalfteeth thereon which cooperate with a bevel gear Sii driven by a shaft 60.

Referring to Fig. 5, a missile 70 is shown having/a fuel tank and an oxidizer tank which feed the contents thereof to a combustion chamber 72 from which gases are emitted into the supersonic nozzle 74. As shown in Fig. l, and also illustrated herein, a plurality of slots 76 are provided in the nozzle 74 which in turn are connected by lines 7S to a selector or control valve 80. Nitrogen or other gas under pressure in a reservoir, as -for example, 82, may be connected to the valve 80 for selectively directing the gas under pressure to one or more of the slots 76 and thus producing shock-wave control forces on the nozzle 74 in the manner described hereinbefore. The control valve 80 may be operated by `a gyro control, as illustrated, or any other similar automatic or Yremotely operated control.

Referring to the Fig. 6 illustration, a propulsion unit isillustrated comprising a solid propellant container 90 whih is adapted to burn at a'high rate of combustion and to exhaust )the gases generated thereby through 'a supersonic nozzle 92. As described in connection with Fig, f and also as herein illustrated, a plurality of slots 9`4 are provided which in turn are connected by conduits toamcontrol valve 96. `The controlvalve 96 may be operated by a gyro or similar control and may be fed nitrogen or other gas under pressure from a toroidal shaped chamber 98. By utilizing a compressed gas container of this shape the entire propulsion unit may be made compact and its frontal area relatively small. A *I n,V each of the foregoing instances the shock producing fluidlhas been lillustrated as being emitted through narrowA slots V"or small holes. Where relatively small holes are utilized a number of such holes may be formed as abank, each of the holes being spaced circumferentially and also axially of the nozzle wall as shown `for example inxrligs. 4 and 7. The uid being bled through the holes at relatively high velocity produces an individual shock adjacent each hole. Since the desired effect is to produce one shock front with a substantially uniform pressure eld behind it, the shock control force may be rendered more elfective by injecting gases at low velocity butwat essentially the pressure to be expected behind the shock and by utilizing relatively large holes or slots in` the nozzle wall (see Fig. 8). As a result a more uniform `pressure distribution is obtained over the working surface which in turn minimizes the flow required for control purposes.

As a result of this invention it is obvious that a very simple yet positive control means has been provided for supersonic vehicles and the like which has the advantage over other control systems since there is no external aerodynamic drag or other undesirable incidental aerodynamic defects which will derogate from the maximum `eiciency of such a vehicle. Further, this control mechanism being simple in operation insures positive operation but at the same time producing large control forces atla minimum loss in efficiency. VItV should be noted that the subject control is equally applicable to turbo-jet power plants as well as liquid or solid-propellant rockets. Of special note is the lfact that the Vcontrol system described herein provides control forces completely independent of external aerodynamics. Thusacontrol system of this type will perform wellV at zero flight speeds or in rareiied atmospheres where conventional aerodynamic control surfaces are ineffective.

Although certain embodiments of this-invention have been illustrated and described herein, it will be evident that various changes and modifications may be made-in the construction and arrangement of the various parts without departing from the scope of this novel concept.

What it'is desired to obtain by Letters Patent is:

l. In a vehicle having ,a combustion chamber and a source-of fuel for burning in said chamber, a duct receiving the combustion gases from said combustion chamber, means for moving said gases at supersonic velocity including a convergent-divergent nozzle and means for selectively creating shock waves emanating from the inner wall of said nozzle and trailing outboard thereof comprising a source of fluid under pressure, ya plurality of openings in the wall of said nozzle, and controllable valve means for selectively controlling the flow of fluid from'said source to said openings.

-2. In a vehicle having a'combustion power plant and apropulsion nozzle, means providing a lluid stream of supersonic velocity moving axially of said nozzle, passage means in the wall of said nozzle, means for receiving air from the free stream and conducting it to saidpassage means for discharge internally of said'nozzlein'a direction transversely of the axis of llow through-said nozzle, and means yfor selectively controlling the periph- `al`position of discharge into said nozzle.

3. In a vehicle having a fcombustion chamber and a propulsion nozzle receiving lluid from said chamber including means providing a fluid flow therethrough at supersonic velocity, an annular ram air intake surrounding said vehicle, a plurality of peripheral openings in the Wall of 'said nozzle including 'valvemechanism for selectively opening and closing said openings, and means for, conducting said ram air to said openings for discharge internally of said nozzle.

4. In a vehicle having a power plant including a cornbustion chamber, means for conducting combustion charging elements to said chamber, a propulsion nozzle receiving gases from said chamber including means for discharging said iluid at supersonic velocity, passage means in the wall of said nozzle comprising a plurality of peripherally spaced openings positioned along the nozzle axes ladjacent thepoint where the flow is supersonic, a`s`ource Vofgasunder pressure, means for conducting gas under pressure from said source to said passage means, and valve means for selectively directing said gas under pressure to separate openings and creating shock waves in said nozzle.

5. Ina vehicle according to claim 4 wherein said valve means is operated by a mechanism responsive to the direction 'of movement of said vehicle.

6. "In 'a vehicle having a power plant including a combustion chamber, means for conducting fuel to said chamber, 'a propulsion'nozzle receiving gases from said chamber, 4means :for dischargingsaid gases at supersonic velocity, and means for creating shock waves in said supersonic stream 'adjacent the aft end of said nozzle'to control thevehicle comprising, a plurality of peripherally spaced openings in the wall of said nozzle, means cooperating with said nozzle for selectively opening and closing said'openings, `a source of iluid under pressure, and means for conducting said fluid under pressure 'to said Aopenings for injection into said nozzle substantially transversely to the axis lof `the stream within the nozzle.

7. In a vehicle having a combustion power plant, mans'r'eceiving combustion products from said plant and providing av ilow of supersonic iluid, a duct receiving said supersoniclfluid, a source of 'fluid under pressure, a plurality'of-peripherallyspaced openings in the wall of said duct, and controllable means for conducting said lfluid n'der pressure vto separate openings and creating shock waves in the supersonic fluid.

4`8. Ina vehicle 'having a combustion power plant, an exhaust' nozzle for said power plant longitudinally spaced from the center of gravity of the vehicle, means for ge'nerating'a stream of supersonic lluid in said nozzle, a source of uid under pressure, a plurality of peripherally spaced openings in the wall'of said nozzle, and means for corulucting said -fluid under pressure to said openings for ejection into said nozzle to create shock waves and high .pressure regions in said nozzle and to control the vehicle including mechanism 'for selectively `conducting said fluid under Apressure to a limited number of said Openings- Y 9. In a vehicle having a power plant including a propulsion nozzle receiving fluid from said power plant, the fluid moving through said nozzle at supersonic velocity, said nozzle-including convergent-divergent wall portions, a source-of fluid under pressure, a plurality of peripherally spaced openingsfin the divergent wall portion of said nozzle,rand controllable means operatively connected tosaid-source for selecting a number less than all of said openings to which fluid from said source is to be delivered.

10. Inal vehicle having a power plant'including apropulsionnozzle receiving fluid from said power-plant, the uidmoving through said nozzle Aat supersonic velocity, said-nozzle including convergent-divergent wall portions, a source of iluid under pressure, aplurality ofperipherally spaced-openings in 'the divergent wall portionof said nozzle, and means operatively connected to said source for directing fluid Vfrom said source to a limited number of said openings.

11. In a vehicle having a combustion chamber and a source of fuel for burning in said chamber, a propulsion` nozzle receiving gases from said combustion chamber including means for moving said gases at supersonic velocity, and means for selectively creating shock waves emanating from peripherallyrspaced positions on the inner wall of said nozzle comprising a source of fluid under pressure, passage means in the wall of said nozzle, and controllable valve means for selectively controlling the ow from said source to said passage means.

12. In a vehicle having a propulsion nozzle, said nozzle being spaced from the center of gravity of the vehicle, means for producing a stream of supersonic velocity in said nozzle, means for creating shock waves extending :from the internal wall of said nozzle comprising a source of uid under pressure, passage means in the wall of said nozzle, and controllable valve means for selectively conducting said uid to said passage means, said valve means Vbeing controlled whereby shock waves emanate from only a part of the periphery of the wall of said l nozzle.

`1%. In a vehicle having a combustion power plant including an air inlet and means for compressing said air, a combustion chamber receiving air from said compressor, a propulsion nozzle receiving gases of supersonic velocity from said combustion chamber and discharging said gas externally of the vehicle, passage means peripherally disposed in the aft wall portion of said nozzle for discharging air therefrom, and means for bleeding References Cited in the lle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS l 253,215 Maynard Feb. 7, 1882 855,165 Cutter May 28, 1907 958,996 Duc May 24, 1910 1,879,187 Goddard Sept. 27, 1932 2,528,354 Flanagan Oct. K31, 1'950 2,540,594 Price Feb. 6, 1951 2,694,898 Stauff Nov. 23, 1954 

